Scribe killed in Imphal in police firing

Source :

Last Updated: Sun, Dec 23, 2012 13:10 hrs

Guwahati, Dec 23 (IANS) A journalist was killed in Imphal Sunday and curfew was imposed after police fired to disperse agitating members of Manipur film and cultural organisations who were demanding the arrest of a Naga militant for allegedly molesting an actress Dec 18.

The district administration of Imphal West district imposed curfew in the district from 2 p.m. Sunday till 6 a.m. Monday.

Imphal-based scribe Th. Dwijamani Singh was killed when police opened fire at the protesters at Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai area in Imphal.

Singh was working for Prime News, a TV news channel based in Guwahati, I. Sharma, a journalist based in Imphal, told IANS.

"Film and cultural bodies and civil society organisations under the banner of Manipur Film Forum (MFF) have called for an indefinite state-wide shutdown Saturday to protest the government's failure to arrest NSCN-IM leader Livingstone Anal, who allegedly molested a Meitei film actress Dec 18 last," Sharma said.

"The agitation turned violent Sunday afternoon as protesters blocked traffic and pelted stones at vehicles of the police and security forces. Police opened fire to control the situation," Sharma added.

Imphal police said they had to resort to firing as the protesters torched some vehicles and tried to block traffic.

"The police first fired tear gas shells to disperse the agitators. However, they set ablaze a vehicle forcing police to open fire," said a police official on the condition of anonymity.

"The journalist, who was shot in the chest, was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to his injuries," the officer said.

The Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) has urged Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to order a probe into the incident and to give compensation to his family.